How Dole Whip Became The Taste of Disney
Words by Christine Van Dyk
There’s something magical about a theme park…parking lots named for Seven Dwarfs, a castle built for a princess, the smell of baked goods pumped out into the landscape. This truly is the happiest place on Earth. But for many park-goers the most memorable thing about a trip to Walt Disney World isn’t the rides, the characters, or even the parades; it’s something a bit simpler and all together great.
The sweet treat known as Dole Whip dates back to 1976 when a pineapple company began sponsoring Disneyland’s Enchanted Tiki Room. Workers wearing polyester paisley uniforms served pineapple spears and fresh juice in a small hut that was scored by the chirps of tropical birds. But even though it began with a marketing partnership in California, Dole Whip as we know it was actually a product of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Ironically, it was thanks to the Sunshine State’s notorious heat!
Back in the 1980s a food scientist at Dole was tasked with taking the soft-serve, pineapple-topped ice cream beloved at Disneyland Resort in California and developing a version that could better stand up to the Florida temps. What resulted was non-dairy, vegan, gluten-free, and made from a dry mix. Ever since it first appeared, visitors in the know have made it a point to head straight to the Aloha Isle stand inside the Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland for the taste that has come to represent a Disney vacation.
“Dole Whip is one of those things people dream about,” Maria Mills-Benat says. “I think it is synonymous with Disney. There’s a comfort there, a nostalgia I love sharing with others. Minus the brain freeze, it just makes people feel happy.”
While most folks crave the cold treat for its unique flavor, a cross between pineapple, frozen yogurt, and creamy vanilla ice cream, there’s also something sentimental about enjoying a Dole Whip.
Elizabeth Dortch first tried the soft serve dessert in 2001 while vacationing at Walt Disney World with her two children, Arden and Hampton.
“We came across it in Adventureland and thought is was delicious,” she says. “We have gotten one every time we’ve been for the last 10 trips.”
These days Elizabeth is visiting Walt Disney World with her grandchildren and you can bet she has introduced them to the sweet, subtle flavor of pineapple on a hot summer day. Dole Whip is now a cult favorite that can be enjoyed throughout the Disney theme parks in its three original flavors: pineapple, orange, and strawberry. But if you’re hoping for a taste of the sweet, tropical dessert before your next vacation, why not make it on your own? Here’s a simple recipe to try at home:
Dole Whip Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of frozen pineapple
- 1/4 cup of milk or canned coconut milk
- 1/16 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp sweetener of choice
- 2 1/2 tsp lemon juice
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Scoop out the mixture and transfer it to a pastry bag.
- Pipe it in a swirling motion to create a soft serve.
- For a firmer texture, freeze for 20 minutes prior to serving.
